Ambassadors of Culture: Area performing group instills sense of pride to Hispanic youth

Gabriela Valencia

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Ballet Folkorico Raices Latinas" (Folkloric Ballet, Hispanic Roots) is a local dance group that highlights various aspects of Hispanic culture through performances to music from different areas of Mexico. The group was founded in 1999 and became a non-profit organization last year, according to Barbara Rivera, executive director and co-founder.

Approximately 35 dancers of all ages from different backgrounds have had a busy schedule since the group's inception. They perform at weddings, fund-raising events, school fairs and assemblies as well as dance competitions.

Rivera said she and her husband Nick decided to start the organization as a way to foster positive values to younger children all the while introducing many of the area's Hispanic youth to the traditions of Mexican and Latin American culture.

She added that both her and her husband were previously involved with "Ballet Folklorico de Spring" which was coordinated through the Spring Independent School District until the group disbanded in 1999 after the group's dance instructor could no longer maintain the steady commitment.

Since the original group dissolved, the Riveras decided to fund their own dance group. As a result, the Spring couple set up a studio in their own garage_ laying out a wooden floor for the dancers to practice and hired a professional dance instructor to lead the students.

The couple admit that it wasn't easy to get the dance group moving. "The amount of research that I have had to do is tremendous," Barbara said. She explained that the group's dance performances incorporate the music, costumes, and dancing styles specific to that various states of Mexico.

After the group qualified as a non-profit organization, the Riveras have been diligently trying to secure corporate sponsorships to the keep the program running since it has no base of income. But the husband-and-wife team said they are reaping great rewards for their efforts.

"I think the biggest gratification for us is to be able to watch these kids grow from having very little confidence to having a greater self-esteem and bright shiny faces," Nick said.

Julio Ayala, a professional Mexican folklore dancer, and instructor for the International Ballet Folklorico, said he was approached by the Riveras about teaching the group last year. Having worked with the group over the past four months, Ayala said the group has come a long way.

"It's a great satisfaction seeing students with two left feet, who don't know much about Mexican folklore, and then see at the end how much they have learned," he said.

Mayra Bazan and Lizette Abreu, both 16, have been with the group since the beginning and have recently started to develop their skills in mariachi singing. The two girls said they grew up listening to rancheras and mariachis, but did not develop an interest in the musical style until they joined the group.

"Some songs are so energetic yet some are so emotional, I just love to sing it," Bazan said. The students admitted that they were apprehensive about performing in front of crowds at first, but said that they have already sung mariachis in a number of places and are looking forward to an upcoming Mariachi competition.

Barbara said anyone is welcome to join the dance group but must be willing to practice three times a week for approximately one hour. Meanwhile, the Riveras continue to seek corporate sponsors to support the dance group.

For more information about joining the group or sponsoring, contact Barbara or Nick Rivera at 281-353-6957.